The Archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, presented his resignation to the Pope – archyworldys

At the head of the most important diocese in France since December 2017, Mr.^gr Michel Aupetit, who succeeded Cardinal André Vingt-Trois, is in turmoil. He handed Pope Francis his resignation this week after being accused in the press of having had an intimate relationship with a woman, which he categorically denied. ” Mail [a été] sent this week », told Agence France-Presse (AFP) the diocese of Paris, confirming information from the Figaro. The daily adds that M^gr Aupetit “Last week in Rome met Cardinal Ouellet, Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, in this sense”. Only the Pope can decide to accept or reject the resignation.

In The cross, the archbishop explains his approach: ” Word ” resignation Is not the one I used. Resignation would mean that I am relinquishing my charge. In reality, I am placing it in the hands of the Holy Father, because he was the one who gave it to me. I did it to preserve the diocese, because, as bishop, I must be at the service of unity ”.

“Ambiguous behavior”

Wednesday on its website, Point asserted that M^gr Aupetit had had that year an intimate and consensual relationship with a woman, referring to an email he had sent in error and which left no doubt, according to the weekly, as to the relationship maintained. It was not “Not from a romantic relationship” neither of a “Sexual relationship”, assured AFP the diocese on Friday. “He opened up to his hierarchy at the time”.

“I admit that my behavior towards her could have been ambiguous, thus suggesting the existence between us of an intimate relationship and sexual relations, which I strongly refute”said M^gr Aupetit in the article of Point.

The resignation request “Is not an admission of guilt, but a gesture of humility, a provision”, underlined the diocese. Michel Aupetit makes this gesture today “Because he understands that there may be trouble among the Catholics of the diocese”, we added.

The Vatican will decide

The pope’s response may take several weeks, the time for him to examine and assess the reasons that lead a prelate to want “Put back his load”. He can refuse the request. François had thus initially opposed an end of inadmissibility to several resignation requests of Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, implicated for his silences about the sexual assaults of a former priest. He finally accepted the resignation in 2020, when the Archbishop of Lyon was released on appeal.

In June, the Sovereign Pontiff rejected the resignation request of the Archbishop of Munich, Reinhard Marx, who wanted to draw the consequences of the” failure “, according to him, of the Church as to “The catastrophe of sexual abuse”, especially in the diocese of Cologne. Initially, M^gr Aupetit did not wish to make his request public “So that the pope can make his decision freely”, we stressed in the diocese.

Doctor before taking orders

Appointed in December 2017, the clergyman was a general practitioner in the Paris region for eleven years before entering the priesthood. The one who likes to say that God him “Made an appointment late” was ordained a priest of the diocese of Paris in 1995, at the age of 44, by Cardinal Lustiger. There he exercised various ministries of vicar and parish priest, but also of chaplain with the youth.

Michel Aupetit was promoted auxiliary bishop in 2013. Only one year later, he inherits a diocese in full, that of Nanterre. Three and a half years later, in 2017, the one who dreamed of himself “Country priest” is hoisted at the head of the most urban of the dioceses.

The archbishop, who had to manage the fire of Notre-Dame de Paris in 2019, is known for his strict positions concerning the family and bioethics: he notably regularly supported the “Walks for life” hostile to voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion). He also had trouble with homosexual circles in 2012 during the debates on the ” marriage for all “.